The work encompasses writing and drawing humor, with a focus on cyber security, and corporate IT. We started in October, which was "Cyber Security Awareness month". Below are two initial pieces, with corporate messaging added to the cartoons.
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The cartoons appear on each of their employee's computers/devices at sign-in, highlighting security to begin the day. A new cartoon about a different subject runs each month. (To be honest, I'd get tired of seeing the same thing on my monitor say, 30 times. So, I can sympathize with any McKesson employee who's 'had enough' of a cartoon by the end of each month.)
The response thus far has been very positive, and even their CEO recently got in touch with me with an idea for next month's subject matter. It's been a great deal of fun, thus far.
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A few years ago, Fidelity Investments hired me to create a series of financial cartoons for their online investing division and website.
A separate division within Fidelity decided that they wanted new cartoons, and they sent RFPs a group of cartoonists. After a few MS Teams meetings, I ended up with an offer.
The cartoons will cater to their commercial customers, both the newsletter and website. The subject: Artificial Intelligence, IT, and online security. (There's a pattern here.)
The project is just getting under way, and above is an initial cartoon (first draft.)
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One of several cartoons created this month for Causeway Software, in the UK:
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A commissioned illustration to celebrate the retiring Director of the
Pleasantville Music Festival in New York. Bruce Figler presided over this grand festival for 8 years, and this piece will be printed, famed and given to him at his retirement party in early January.
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Over the past year I’ve been doing pen, ink and watercolor portraits for an upscale dining club in Norwalk, Connecticut. (Background on that ongoing commission is in this journal post.)
The past month, Martha Stewart and her manager were in the restaurant, became members, and, of course, the owner was happy about that. (It also meant that their images would join the pen & ink drawings framed on the wall.)
They sent me some photos and interestingly, the request for Martha's piece was to draw her with her cat. (Sharp-eyed readers will notice that this has a bit less exaggeration than my usual caricatured pen and ink portraits.)
Martha's manager (depicted below with her husband) is the founder of the
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I just signed a contract to create 12 monthly cartoons for Amalgamated Insurance in New York. (That sounds like a company name from a Bugs Bunny cartoon, doesn't it?) Here are the first two pieces:
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A cartoon for an online dating book, in progress:
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Two books recently left the drawing board and went to press, in time for 'all important Christmas sales'. At least that's what the publishers called it as deadlines were moved up last month. One book involved writing and drawing, the other was straight Illustration.
Five Minutes from a Meltdown began as an idea from the head of Yorkshire Publishing. He contacted me last year, wondering if I'd be willing to team up with Hollywood screenwriter, David Meyer. He thought it might be fun to see us take turns riffing on various subjects of our choice, (social unrest, dogs, country music - and completely devolving from there.)
David wrote some very funny poems.
I wrote and drew my own (non-poetic) stuff...some samples:
(Book cover design & cartoon)
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I just received my box of 25 sample books from the publisher.
4.3 on Goodreads - so far.
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This book wrapped up last month, and it was pure fun, allowing me to illustrate one of my favorite subjects - dogs - in a whimsical style. "Gertrude the Groomer" is a 32-page children's book by children's author, Victoria Wintersperger. It's about a retiree who runs a dog grooming shop, and proceeds to have some serious trouble with her eyesight.
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Lastly, a recently released business book by Harry Max, former executive of DreamWorks Animation, and advisor to Apple, Adobe, Google, Hewlett-Packard, and Microsoft.
While reading the manuscript for creating illustrative concepts, it became clear that this was a unique take on a subject that can help nearly anyone. I also realized - between the first and second page - that the author is a terrific writer.
After chatting with Harry on the phone, reading the manuscript, I started by writing ideas and humor, after concepts were approved, then vignettes and illustrations. Some of the cartoons were was shared in an earlier blog post, so I'll post two pieces, (including a "straight" illustration that accompanies an interview with recording artist, Roseanne Cash.)
The book has received some positive early reviews:
"Harry Max clearly lays out the steps that anyone can use to be more productive and effective. It's required reading for anyone wanting to be a better business leader."
Marc Randolph, co-founder/CEO of Netflix
"A forceful, clear, and detailed method for strengthening prioritization." Kirkus Reviews
"Approachable, psychologically astute, and deeply practical book has the potential to change all that. Reading it is well worth your time." Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
"Managing Priorities" is available from the
publisher, and Amazon. ----------
Finally, (assuming you haven't dropped off by now) some pics from our Fall trip to the Summit Area. We unwound with some biking, mountain summit hiking, and horseback riding.
This is Lake Dillon, at 11:15 PM in October. The moon was so bright, that it somehow did not look like a night sky. This is looking toward the Continental Divide in the East. It was actually pitch black in the West - where the sun had set 3 hours before. (i.e., no sunlight in the sky.)
